The ethnic and tribal sentiments that have for long been a feature of Nigeria’s elections were palpable in the outcome of the 2015 general elections. The results showed that while the people of the north embraced Mr. Buhari in large numbers, those in the south-south and south-east overwhelmingly voted to keep “their own” in office.

Notwithstanding, a plurality of Nigerians had expected that the president would govern fairly and inclusively in order to heal whatever wound the election may have left behind.

Alas, there’s little evidence to show that Mr. Buhari did this. Instead, he began by appointing mainly northerners to the consternation of even those who were amongst his staunchest allies. Mr. Buhari appointed dozens of aides in the first weeks of his administration without ceding any of the positions to the southeast.

Asked how he intended to implement an inclusive development of the south-south, Mr. Buhari delved into the results of the elections, speaking of how the limited support he received from the area would certainly reflect in his government’s policies and programmes to them.

When pressed on the consistent complaints of marginalisation by the South-East,, a visibly irritated president asked in his maiden media chat on December 30, 2015: “What do the Igbos want?”

#3:. Public mood and local media

Upon assumption of office, President Buhari was met with incessant and devastating attacks by suspected Boko Haram members. It took intense public criticisms for him to issue a single statement condemning the attacks. He was quiet most times. He showed similar reluctance with the herdsmen crisis across the country. The killings in Agatu and other southern communities were not condemned by the president for weeks. Most went without a single statement of condolence from his office.

But the president was swift in condemning terrorist attacks in Paris, Brussels, Grand-Bassam and elsewhere.

Similarly, Mr. Buhari hardly speaks to local media. From when he would name his ministers (in U.S.) to how he won’t let the central bank devalue (in Paris) the president has made most of the key pronouncements abroad. Talking to local media would have helped him better understand and gauge public opinion.